Category: Colorado News

2018 ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEK EVENTS
PROCLAMATION CEREMONY

WHEN: March 12, 2018
WHERE: Denver City & County Building
The lighting of the Denver City & County Building to green will take place at noon.

CHANGING OF THE SIGN CEREMONY

WHEN: March 15, 2017
WHERE: 20th and Blake
At the corner of 20th and Blake, the City of Denver will rename Blake Street “Tooley Street,” for a short time, in honor of the late Dale Tooley — longtime Denver District Attorney, one-time mayoral candidate and full-time Irishman. It takes place at 5 p.m.

DENVER ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

WHEN: March 17, 2017
WHERE: Downtown Denver
The best spectating spot is south of 20th Avenue on Blake Street (renamed Tooley Street for the parade). This area tends to be crowded, so the best place for families to watch the parade is near the end, on Blake Street from 23rd to 27th avenues. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m., but folks come as early as 6 a.m. to stake out a spot. If you havn’t seen it yet, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a festive and fun event for all ages that celebrates Irish culture and heralds the start of spring. It’s one of the largest St. Patty’s day parades west of the Mississippi, and the largest annual parade in Denver, with more than 200,000 people lining the route to enjoy horses and stagecoaches, marching bands, dancers, floats and Irish-themed fun with a Western flair.

KEGGS AND EGGS

WHEN: March 16, 2017
WHERE: Blake Street Tavern
This annual live music event, hosted by local radio station Channel 93.3, is favorite of die-hard music fans each year. It kicks off early in the morning — at 7 a.m. — with green beer, whiskey and rock performances on tap right from the get-go. The lineup for 2017 includes American Authors, Bishop Briggs and Bryce Fox. The event is free and open to ages 21 and over.

IRISH PUBS
- SCRUFFY MURPHY’S IRISH PUB
  
  Scruffy Murphy’s is easily one of the most authentic slices of the Emerald Isle you’ll find in Denver. Just minutes away from Coors Field, Scruffy’s is the perfect place to grab a pint or enjoy some traditional Irish pub fare — shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and more. DON’T MISS: Thursday through Saturday, Scruffy’s hosts musical acts, from DJs spinning to rock bands shaking the stage.
- MY BROTHER’S BAR
  
  My Brother’s Bar is a Mile High City institution known for its Beat Generation clientele — this was the watering hole of choice for renowned Beats Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady in the 1950s. Today, not much has changed at My Brother’s Bar — you can still get a pint and a burger for under $10 and enjoy one of the city’s coolest spots. DON’T MISS: The sunny patio, tucked around the back of My Brother’s.
- THE IRISH ROVER
  
  Amidst the dive-y rock clubs and indie boutiques of South Broadway, you’ll encounter the Irish Rover, a relaxed and friendly pub. Enjoy a pint or two, chat with the locals, sit by the fireplace or on your high stool at the bar. International sports fans love the Rover for its six large televisions, broadcasting rousing football games (European-style, of course). DON’T MISS: The Irish Rover’s huge rooftop patio. One of the best places to get above it all in Denver.
- PINTS PUB
  
  While there are plenty of Irish pubs in Denver, the city also has a fantastic British-style joint in Pints Pub, located just down the street from the Denver Art Museum. At Pints, you’ll find the charm and personality of the “local,” a place that serves as a crossroads for society, where good beer, good food and good conversation are on the bill. DON’T MISS: The extensive selection of single malt whisky — the menu is 16 pages long!
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March 14, 2018

COLORADO ROCKIES DUGOUT NEWS!

OUTFIELDER CARLOS GONZÁLEZ IS BACK!

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Colorado Rockies announced Monday that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Carlos González. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Rayan González has been placed on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Carlos González, 32, batted .262 (123-for-470) with 72 runs scored, 34 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBI, 56 walks, three stolen bases and 119 strikeouts in 2017, his ninth season with Colorado and his 10th in the Major Leagues.
Originally signed by Arizona as a non-drafted international free agent on August 3, 2002, González has a career batting average of .288 (1,275-for-4,425) with 729 runs scored, 267 doubles, 36 triples, 215 home runs, 711 RBI, 117 stolen bases, 393 walks and 1,075 strikeouts across parts of 10 Major League seasons with Oakland (2008) and Colorado (2009-17). As a member of the Rockies, he has batted .292 (1,202-for-4,123) with 698 runs, 245 doubles, 35 triples, 211 home runs, 685 RBI, 113 stolen bases, 380 walks and 994 strikeouts.
A three-time All-Star with the Rockies (2012-13, 2016), González ranks third in franchise history in games played (1,115), fourth in doubles and home runs, fifth in hits, triples, RBI and walks, sixth in slugging percentage (.521), eighth in batting average and ninth in on-base percentage (.351).
He has appeared in postseason play twice with Colorado; in the 2009 National League Division Series and in the 2017 National League Wild Card Game. In 2009, he went 10-for-17 across four NLDS games, and in 2017 he went 2-for-5 in the Wild Card Game for a career postseason batting average of .545 (12-for-22) with five runs, two doubles, one home run, two RBI, two stolen bases, two walks and two strikeouts.
In his career with Colorado, González has earned three Gold Gloves (2010, 2012-13) and two Silver Sluggers (2010, 2015). He earned his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in 2010, a season in which he led the National League in batting average (.336, 197-for-587), hits and total bases (351, tied for the Major League lead) and finished third in MVP voting. He signed a seven-year extension on Jan. 11, 2011. Carlos González stats

COLORADO ROCKIES ANNOUNCE ONE-YEAR PLAYER CONTRACTS FOR 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Colorado Rockies announced today that the following player contracts have been finalized for the 2018 season.

Right-handed pitchers	Left-handed pitchers	Catchers	Infielders	Outfielders
Almonte, Yency	Anderson, Tyler	Murphy, Tom	McMahon, Ryan	Cuevas, Noel
Díaz, Jairo	Freeland, Kyle	Rabago, Chris	Story, Trevor	Dahl, David
Estévez, Carlos	Howard, Sam	Wolters, Tony	Valaika, Pat	Daza, Yonathan
González, Rayan	Rosscup, Zac			Patterson, Jordan
Gray, Jon				Tapia, Raimel
Hoffman, Jeff				Tauchman, Mike
Jemiola, Zach				Carlos González
Márquez, German
Oberg, Scott
Senzatela, Antonio
Tinoco, Jesus

Right-handed pitcher Rayan González placed on 60-day disabled list

Rayan González, 27, was placed on the 60-day disabled list to recover from Tommy John surgery. He was initially placed on the 60-day disabled list to recover from the surgery on April 6, 2017 before being activated on Oct. 5. González last pitched in 2016, and went 2-2 with one save, a 3.12 ERA (52.0 IP, 18 ER), 23 walks and 49 strikeouts across 46 relief appearances for Double-A Hartford. In five Minor League seasons since 2012, the 2012 First-Year Player Draft (21st round) selection has gone 9-16 with 25 saves, a 4.02 ERA (208.1 IP, 93 ER), 94 walks and 235 strikeouts. Rayan González stats

The Rockies currently have a full 40-man roster.

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March 13, 2018

SALIDA, CO – Grueling quest for wild rainbow trout resistant to disease

Volunteers key in quest for disease resistant wild rainbow trout

As snow piled up outside the Mount Ouray hatchery building late last month, inside a handful of Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers from the Collegiate Peaks chapter of Trout Unlimited were huddled over large plastic tubs filled with rainbow trout swimming in 50-degree spring water.

For six hours that snowy day, the heavily-bundled volunteers repeatedly reached inside the buckets with double-gloved hands, dipped out a 3-inch trout and used scissors to snip off the tiny left pelvic fin. Then they dropped the squirming fish into a concrete raceway in the hatchery and grabbed another from the bucket, stopping occasionally to warm themselves next to a propane heater.

The snipping went on for four days until 20,000 trout had sacrificed a pelvic fin for science. The fish will be released in April into the Arkansas River downstream of Salida. When CPW biologists conduct surveys on the river, they’ll be able to identify these fish as unique and determine their rate of survival.

CPW wants to track them because these are special rainbows. They are the spawn of wild rainbows from the Gunnison River – rainbows that have somehow resisted succumbing to the deadly outbreak of whirling disease that ravaged Colorado’s rainbow trout population after it first erupted in the 1980s.

The effort of precisely marking 20,000 small fish was undertaken because CPW needs to know if the Gunnison River rainbows can establish themselves in the Arkansas and other rivers around the state.

Restoring to the Arkansas and other streams a wild, naturally reproducing rainbow trout that is resistant to whirling disease would be a huge wildlife conservation victory for CPW. So snipping a pelvic fin, which does not hurt the mildly sedated fish, is an important part of this effort.

By 1997, Colorado’s wild rainbow trout population essentially vanished and brown trout, which are more resistant to whirling disease, took over most of the state’s major rivers. Ever since, CPW aquatic research scientists and biologists have worked to combat whirling disease and re-establish wild rainbow trout in Colorado.

The effort included spending more than $13 million to clean up infected hatcheries and convert them to spring- and well-water rather than surface sources.

CPW has been trying to create a wild reproducing population of rainbow trout in the Arkansas and other major Colorado Rivers for decades. There have been several obstacles in the Arkansas River including competition with brown trout, river flows and whirling disease, which is present in the river. These Gunnison River rainbows have shown resistance to the disease. This would be a big breakthrough if this project succeeds. — Josh Nehring, senior aquatic biologist in the Southeast Region

CPW biologists will stock the fish in a few weeks and return in October to survey the Arkansas to try to determine if and how many of the wild rainbow survived the summer.

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March 7, 2018
Gardner, Bennet Announce $2 Million TIGER Grant for Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado

Washington, DC – Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today announced the Department of Transportation has awarded the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe a $2 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for a project aimed at improving access and safety along a 2.5-mile segment of US Highway 160.

This is great news for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe as these Department of Transportation funds will help make critical upgrades on this stretch of highway. Going forward, I’ll continue my efforts to ensure our local communities across Colorado have adequate resources from the federal government and ensure no corner of Colorado is ever forgotten. — Gardner

For over a decade, the Ute Mountain Ute tribe has advocated for this project to modernize the roads in its community. We applaud the tribe’s efforts to secure this grant and commit to working with Southwest Colorado to help further federal investment in our local communities. — Bennet

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March 7, 2018
Attend Colorado’s Special Olympics Skating Championship — Sat., March 10th

The 2018 State Skating Championship will be held on Saturday, March 10th, at South Suburban Ice Arena. Spectators are invited to cheer on 50+ Special Olympics Colorado Athletes and Unified Partners who will compete in figure skating and speed skating.

THE SCHEDULE:

Opening Ceremony – 6:45 to 7 a.m.

Competition – 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

THE LOCATION:

South Suburban Ice Arena, 6580 S Vine St, Centennial, CO 80121, (303) 798-7881

Click Here for Directions

About Special Olympics Colorado Special Olympics Colorado provides year-round training and competition in 22 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities who are living in the state of Colorado. With the support of more than 10,000 volunteers and the generosity of Colorado citizens, corporations and local businesses, Special Olympics Colorado is able to offer more than 100 events annually to individuals ages 2 and up (oldest athlete is 78 years old). Participation with other athletes, Unified partners (typically developing peers), coaches, sponsors and volunteers builds confidence and creates opportunities to participate as productive and respected members of society by increasing public awareness of the athletes’ capabilities. For more information, visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org.

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March 7, 2018
Researchers studying Rosy-Finches; Colorado’s birders and advid hikers can help

MONTROSE, CO – The Brown-capped Rosy-Finch goes by a delicate name, but it is one tough little bird that lives year around in Colorado’s high country. Because biologists don’t have much information about the bird and concern that its population might be declining, Colorado Parks and Wildlife researchers, along with other collaborators, have started a project to learn more about the species and are asking the state’s bird watchers for help in gathering information.

In CPW’s State Wildlife Action Plan, the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is identified as one of the 107 species of “greatest conservation concern” in Colorado. Based on anecdotal evidence from the annual Christmas bird counts that its numbers are down, scientists are concerned that climate change could be affecting the finch’s high-altitude habitat.

2018 has been declared “the Year of the Bird” by National Geographic Society, the Audubon Society, BirdLife International and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This is also the 100^th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Act Treaty, one of the most important laws ever enacted for wildlife conservation and protection. The treaty is between the U.S. and Canada. Click Here for more information.

There are three species of Rosy-Finches ‒ Brown-capped, Gray-crowned and Black. All reside at high altitudes, but each occupies a different breeding range and has a distinct plumage. CPW researchers are specifically studying the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, a bird almost solely endemic to Colorado.

Anyone who has hiked above timber line or who lives in mountain towns has probably seen these birds. But there is relatively little known about their life history. They nest on cliff faces so it’s difficult to find and access their nests to determine how many eggs they typically lay, how their young survive and how far they travel throughout the year. — Amy Seglund, a species conservation coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Montrose

In February, Seglund and fellow CPW Conservation Coordinator Liza Rossi teamed up with staffers from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and Erika Zavaleta, Ph.D., from the University of California at Santa Cruz to begin the study. They are capturing all three Rosy-Finch species at feeders near Telluride, Evergreen and Gunnison. After capture, they examine the birds to determine sex, age and body condition. They also attach a small band to a leg of each of the birds.

Banding has been used by avian researchers for decades to track birds’ movements. A blue or black band is being placed on the birds captured near Telluride, green bands are being placed on birds captured in Evergreen, and red bands are being placed on the birds captured in the Gunnison area.

A researcher holds a Brown-Capped Rosy Finch. Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists have started a project to study this species. Little is known about the life history of these birds.

Here’s how Colorado bird watchers can help with the study. With binoculars the colored bands are easy to see when birds are at feeders or close by in trees. Birders are being asked to report sightings with locations, species of Rosy-Finch, the number of birds and the band color to this email address: . Be as specific as possible regarding the locations. If you can determine which leg the colored band is on please make note of that.

It will be extremely helpful to the study if people report sightings of banded birds. We know these birds are nomadic but we don’t know if their movements are localized or if they travel farther across the landscape. Getting an idea about their movements is very important to the study. By reporting sightings, bird watchers will contribute significantly to our understanding of the Rosy-Finch.— Seglund explained

The researchers will continue capturing birds throughout the winter. When the finches move to higher altitudes this spring and summer, CPW researchers will fan out across the tundra to try to find birds in their expected habitat. This survey work is known as an occupancy study and will help scientists determine how well-distributed the birds are in Colorado. The surveys will also provide density estimates which allow researchers to evaluate long-term population trends.

The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, based on Colorado’s Front Range, is a conservation, education and research organization that aides agencies, private landowners and scientists with a wide variety of bird studies throughout the West. Zavaleta is focusing on the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, but is also interested in the other two species.

For more information about Colorado’s Wildlife Action Plan and bird species, go to CPW’s web site at http://cpw.state.co.us/.

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March 7, 2018
Sandhill Cranes making spring migration through the San Luis Valley; annual festival this weekend

MONTE VISTA, CO – The annual spring migration of greater sandhill cranes is in full force in southern Colorado. If you’ve never seen these beautiful birds gathering in huge numbers, be sure to put it on your bucket list. The cranes start arriving in mid-February, flying from their winter nesting grounds, primarily in New Mexico. The large wetland areas, wildlife refuges and grain fields in the San Luis Valley draw in about 25,000 birds. The cranes stop in the valley to rest-up and re-fuel for their trip north to their summer nesting and breeding grounds in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

People in Colorado should take time to see the cranes; the migration is truly one of nature’s wonders. — Joe Lewandowski, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife

WHEN: The annual San Luis Valley Crane Festival is scheduled this year for March 9-11. For a complete schedule of events, go to: http://mvcranefest.org/.

The festival headquarters and starting point for the tours is the Ski Hi Park building located near U.S. Highway 160 on Sherman Avenue on the east side of Monte Vista. Visitors can pick up maps, schedules and information at the headquarters. Besides the tours, a variety of workshops are put on by bird, wildlife and photography experts. An arts and crafts fair continues through the weekend at the headquarters building.

ABOUT
Cranes are among the oldest living species on the planet: Fossil records for cranes date back 9 million years. The birds that migrate through Colorado are the largest of the North American sandhill subspecies standing 4-feet tall with a wing-span of up to 7 feet and weighing in at 11 pounds. Besides their imposing size, the birds issue a continuous, distinctive and haunting call. At this time of year cranes are engaged in their mating ritual and the birds perform an elaborate and elegant hopping dance to gain the attention of other birds.

The birds are most abundant at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, located 6 miles south of the town of Monte Vista on Colorado Highway 15. Wildlife watchers can also see the birds at the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge located southeast of the town of Alamosa, and at the Rio Grande, Higel and Russell Lakes state wildlife areas. Plenty of birds can also be seen in the many agricultural fields near Monte Vista and Alamosa.

VIEWING TIPS: The cranes are most active at dawn and at dusk when they’re moving back and forth from their nighttime roosting areas. Be sure to dress warm as temperatures can be very cold in the valley.

During the three days of the festival, free morning and afternoon tours are offered by staff members from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Visitors take buses to various spots on the wildlife refuge, and local experts talk about the migration and the wildlife refuge. If you want to take a tour, be on time because the buses leave promptly.

The number of cranes in the valley peaks in mid-March and many linger through the month. So even if you can’t go the weekend of the festival there’s still plenty of time to see the birds.

Bird-watchers who travel on their own should be cautious when parking, getting out of vehicles and walking along roads. People are also asked to view birds from a distance with binoculars and spotting scopes, and to observe trail signs and closure notices.

Many other bird species – including eagles, turkeys and a variety of waterfowl – can also be seen throughout the San Luis Valley.

For more information about the San Luis Valley wildlife refuge complex, see: www.fws.gov/refuge/monte_vista.

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March 6, 2018
Lights! Camera! Action! New documentary shows how Colorado protects election security

DENVER — Colorado’s risk-limiting audit pioneered a critical process to show the security of elections. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office documented the monumental effort by state and county election officials last fall when it completed the Nation’s First “Risk-Limiting Audit” to ensure that the counties’ ballot tabulation systems accurately counted the votes cast by Colorado’s electors.

With the concerns about election integrity at the forefront of public consciousness, I’m proud to say that Colorado has an answer. Our paper ballots and groundbreaking risk-limiting audit provides a rock solid confirmation that Colorado’s voting systems are secure. Every Coloradan should have confidence that the election results report the actual votes across the state’s 64 counties. — Secretary Wayne Williams

Colorado’s work in bringing the audit to reality was observed by federal and state election administrators, election integrity advocates, academics and media throughout the country, including Matt Masterson and Thomas Hicks, two of the three members of the presidentially appointed U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Colorado’s risk-limiting audit provided great insights into how to conduct more efficient and effective post-election audits. — Masterson

The documentary includes praise for the new process from Elizabeth Steele, elections director of Colorado Common Cause, and professors at University of California, Berkeley, Columbia University and Massachusetts Institution of Technology. “The risk-limiting audit is one example of Colorado’s commitment to election integrity.” — Steele

“Colorado is setting a new standard” and “is really putting a marker in the ground that election outcomes should be verified and can be verified,” said Columbia’s Mark Lindeman.

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March 6, 2018
Colorado Rapids Season begins here…

Colorado Rapids Annual Season Kickoff Party presented by Transamerica

WHEN: The Kick Off Party for the 2018 season is on March 21 starting at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Temple Nightclub

WHO: Live music from the Rapids new resident DJ, DJ Jen Jones

WHAT: Free Jersey customization courtesy of Transamerica and exclusive drink specials from Budweiser, Odell Brewing Co. and Lunazul!

Colorado Rapids Home Opener against Sporting Kansas City

WHEN: Kickoff is set on March 24 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: DICK’S Sporting Goods Park

HOW: Starting at only $30, the Coca-Cola Family Night package includes 1 ticket, 1 meal and a Coke!

Colorado Rapids Prize Zone — Win a Signed Jersey

The Colorado rapids are giving away a signed Kortne Ford primary jersey that was worn during Media Day in Tucson, Arizona! For a chance to add this piece to your collection click the link and follow the prompts to qualify for a chance to win. Don’t wait, enter today!

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March 6, 2018
Arapahoe, Adams, Elbert counties and others: Air Quality Health Advisory for Blowing Dust

Issued for large portions of northeast Colorado.

Issued at 12:45 PM MST, amended at 2:00 PM MST, Monday March 5th, 2018

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area:  Northeastern Weld County, northern Lincoln, eastern Adams and Arapahoe, northeastern Elbert, and the entirety of Morgan, Washington, Logan, Yuma, Kit Carson, Sedgwick, and Phillips Counties, including, but not limited to, the communities of Fort Morgan, Akron, Sterling, Wray, Julesburg, Burlington, Hugo, Deer Trail, Limon, and Holyoke.

Advisory in Effect:  12:45 PM MST, amended at 2:00 PM MST, Monday, March 5, 2018 to 6:00 PM MST, Monday, March 5, 2018.

Public Health Recommendations:  If significant blowing dust is present and reducing visibility to less than 10 miles across a wide area, People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children in the affected area should reduce prolonged or heavy indoor and outdoor exertion.

Outlook: Prolonged strong and gusty winds are producing areas of blowing dust on Monday. Areas of blowing dust will persist throughout the region during the afternoon. The threat for blowing dust will gradually diminish across the entire region during the early evening hours.

March 5, 2018